Laura and her family opened one of the
first schools in Michigan to admit black boys and girls. This school was opened
near Raisin Center which just east of Adrian a few miles. A historical
marker stands at the Raisin Valley Friends Church in Adrian above where her
father (Reverend Daniel Smith) was the first pastor. Charles & Laura Haviland
are buried in the church cemetery along side her parents. Charles
Haviland's father also came to Raisin Township and was a Quaker minister and is
buried in the Raisin Center Friends Cemeteryalong with many
other of the Haviland family.

Located in BIRDSALL, MI just north of Adrian

Darius Comstock, father of the founder of Adrian, Addison Comstock, and
fruit grower settled here in 1827. In 1831 he gave the land and promoted the
building of a Quaker Meeting House, he gave land and promoted a Quaker
school/seminary in 1848 (the school operated from 1850 until 1908, it was known
as the Raisin Valley Seminary).

LOGAN (now Adrian) MI

Addison Comstock came looking for land
in 1825, acquired 1,100 acres. He then returned to New York State and took a
wife, Sarah B. Deane. They were married February 1826 with hopes of leaving for
Michigan in the spring as soon as the boats began to leave for the west.
However, Sarah took seriously ill and could not make the trip with Addison. He
left in April along with his father and other members of his family. There were
18 people, two yoke of oxen, one wagon, one cart, two horses with saddles and
bridles, furniture, bedding, doors, sash, glass for windows and household
supplies. Logan was platted in 1828, but Addison's wife persuaded him to rename
it for her hero in history, the Roman emperor, Hadrian. Mr. Comstock became the
first postmaster on March 20, 1828, it was incorporated as a village in 1836, as
a city in 1853. The township remained named Logan until March 6, 1838, when the
legislature renamed it Adrian. Adrian is the county seat.

Laura Haviland

Charles and Laura Haviland lived east of Adrian on Wilmoth Hwy
near Raisin Center which was just southeast of them on
Chase Road, Raisin Township, Lenawee County, Michigan. Their old log
homestead below was added to numerous times over
the years. Only the plaque on the rock above remain where the old Raisin
Institute School once stood. There was also a Quaker Settlement in Raisin
Center and the Raisin Center Friend's Cemetery
where many members of the Haviland family were buried.
Click here to see additional
information on Raisin Center. The Quakers established another
settlement and meeting house
there in 1834.